Devils Den celebrates 3 years- and Kicks Off Phillies Season with some Trubbel de Yards

FRIDAY, APRIL 1^st from 1-4pm.  

Enjoy some Yard’s Trubbel to Phillies kick off the season. 

Beer specials will be available ($1 off the Yard’s brews), 

Rally towels

chef’s chili dog special.  

Devil’s Den will be offering the very hard to find Trubbel De Yard's, (their special Belgian Dubble),

Yard's Saison. (vertical tastings against the 2010 version will be offered)

 Philly Pale Ale will also be on tap (which a few people have said has been tasting "really good" lately.  

Specials will be offered all weekend long (Friday 1-4pm, Saturday, 7-10pm and Sunday 1:30-4:30pm).

  Erin, Scott and crew are also celebrating their 3 year anniversary, SATURDAY, APRIL 2^nd from 2-5pm.    Enjoy a complimentary buffet and $1 off all drafts. 

THE POURS include:

 ·         Russian River Pliney the Elder

·         Lost Abbey Brandy Barrel Aged Angel's Share

·         Avery Maharaja

·         Mikkeller US Alive

·         Ballast Point Sea Monster

·         Bear Republic Cask

I love San Fransisco

I found "Susie Hotel" wrong spelling but still...

I can't believe it took me thirty some years to get there. Now I want to take an annual jaunt.
I sure got a lot done in four days- but I missed a lot too. I'll try  to get a bit up each day.
Here's a snapshot:


*I ate the crab cellophane noodle dish at The Slanted Door that SF eats put on their 100 things to do before you die.
*I caved in and ate meat at a place called Boccalone: Tasty Salty Pig Parts (you get pig by the cone)
*I had bourbon ice cream with corn flakes at Humphrey Slocumbe
*I had the mandatory burrito-but made a mistake and went shrimp (felt guilty about that whole meat by the cup thing)
*I went to a speakeasy  Bourbon and Branch-awesome!!!
*Drank a delicious kolsch at Magnolia 
*Scrambled eggs were revolutionized for me at PLOW
*I compared 2009 vs 2010 Deschutes Abyss Barrel-aged stout at the Monks Kettle
*Drank $3 Blind Pigs at the Toronado for hours
*Ate a cupcake from the Patisserie that Alton Brown awarded "Top ten desserts" in the country
*Walked on the steepest hill of my life


Check back for more (with Photos)

Great Lakes vs. Sly Fox Smackdown at French Quarter Bistro this Wed.

This post if for the Chester County Folk.  There's a great cajun-creole inspired resto-bar in Royersford- the French Quarter Bistro. In the side room they have the most  craft-devoted lineup in the area (other than Sly Fox brewpub of course).

Mark Weinman from Great Lakes will join me and the Sly Fox crew as we go head to head with our beers.
The chef tried to get as close as he could to matching up the styles...so you can compare the GL make to the SF take.

Fun starts around happy hour.
Hope to see you there.

Drink with a Gnome- Gnomegang arrives this Tuesday @ the P.o.p.e.

Ommegang and 'Brasserie d' Achouffe' collaborated on a Belgian Style Blonde ale, Gnomegang.
It will roll out in Philly this week with a kick-off part at the P.O.P.E. on Tuesday night.-7 till 10. 
I don't know other event details but I know you can drink with a gnome and I know Ommegang usually has awesome giveaways.
Look for the limited release to also be available in 750 ML bottles.


From the brewery:


Gnomegang is a rich, translucent gold, with a big, fluffy white head. The high-carbonation is readily apparent. The nose focuses on distinctive clove aromas, combined with yeasty fruitiness typical of Chouffe beers. Flavors include ripe fruit, clove, light caramel, non-cloying candy sweetness, smooth maltiness, and well-balanced hopping. Mouthfeel offers a big, round body with full, fine carbonation. The finish is dry and warming, lingering gracefully.

San Fransisco Here I Come.

I am on a plane in three hours to San Fransisco for the first time. California for the first time.

I'll be attending the Craft Brewer's Conference- and I will be updating all on what that entails. I am looking forward to amazing food, ameoba records, and the infamous Toronado- oh- and informational seminars on hop varietals of course.

I am not looking forward to the rain. I swore I looked at the forecast yesterday and it was even the same temperature each day. That might have changed.  I know its gonna be a rollicking good time despite the damp- but a little sunshine on Fisherman's Wharf would have been nice.

Rain	Rain / Wind	Showers	Showers
54°F	51°	55°	54°
High	High	High	High
49°	51°	52°	48°
Low	Low	Low	Low

Who made it into Farmer's Cabinet over the Weekend?

I peaked in on Thursday night as they were still getting things open.
Who ate/drank and made merry at Walnut Street's newest Restaurant?  Leave a comment if you can.

I got my own beer! Teaming up with Iron Hill for a Collaborative Saison.

For the last few years I have been nudging my brewer boyfriend to name a beer after me. Musicians do it with songs all the time. I mean tons of musicians have written songs for me over the years, Joey Ramone with "Suzy was a Headbanger" and  "Suzanne" by Leonard Cohen are just two of many songs bearing my name.  So I thought it was within the realm of possibility that I could have my own beer.

Finally, Iron Hill is graciously entrusting the brewery to me for the day and I get to collaborate with him and brew a beer.    He doesn't call me Suzy actually- so it would have to be a play on Suzanne, thus Saizanne.  And yes- I know it's a bit egocentric having a beer named after you that you brew.... I wanted something that would pair with a variety of foods.  So I thought Saison.  My boyfriend has actually won a Gold medal for his saison recipe at the Great American Beer Fest (08)- so it made sense. But we'd have to "Switch it up," and make it personal.  It will be unfiltered, light-bodied, bright and complex with earthy, fruity, spicy character and a refreshing finish. Our beer club colors are green and pink- so we decided to throw green and pink peppercorns in there.  I love pepper. So much that when it's treat time- he often gets me pepper mills.

We will be brewing on Tuesday March 29th and the release party will be April 30th at Iron Hill in Maple Shade. Hopefully a bunch of Beer Club ladies will be there in support.   I am thrilled to brew on a commercial system-and  I want to encourage all women out there not to let it be just your husband's hobby.

Iron Hill recently announced plans to open their 9th brewpub in Chestnut Hill at the end of 2011. Their locations are in Media, Lancaster, North Wales, West Chester, Wilmington, Newark, Phoenixville and Maple Shade. They won "Small brewing company of the year" at the 2010 World Beer Cup. 

Happy St. Patricks Day

  
Yes-the holiday gets a little nuts but as I've noted on here before I still like it and still get a little nostalgic as it was always a big day in the Woods household. And now that I don't have to suffer through the all-green lunch- I might like it even more.

I love Irish Potatoes. I not-so-secretly love Shamrock Shakes-. I love the community feel at the bars -when people are just a bit friendlier than usual. And if I didn't give up meat for Lent I would eat everything on an Irish-themed menu--except corned beef because I've never been a fan.

Some bars have traded in the concept of the cliche green glass of Miller Lite and massed produced beers for more crafty events.
Here are a few worth giving a shot...



City Tap House
The University bar will be the place to be for those as excited about March Madness as they are about going green for 8 hours. They will tap a firkin of O'Reilly's Stout at 3 pm-just in time for the Pitttsburgh game. Pints will be $4. And as they are doing for all NCAA games, Sly Fox cans are  a mere $3.

Any who fills out a bracket and hands it into the bar by Thursday at 1pm- will be eligible to win the grand prize of A trip for Two to Las Vegas or a $5,000 Bar Tab at City Tap House (winner's choice).  Winner determined by traditional March Madness Pool. Author's Note: Sorry I didn't post this sooner!!!!

Philadelphia Bar and Restaurant

They will  be tapping a firkin of O'Reillys stout in time for Happy Hour at 5 pm. Have you stopped in here yet? Such a nice addition to Old City. They have farmhouse plates with a variety of house cured meats and cheeses . They have oysters. Yesterday when I was there dropping off a sign- they were even featuring on oyster in particular for $1.  Seamus will be on tap as well. They are open for lunch every day now.

Mcgillins
Philadelphia's oldest continuously operating tavern is celebrating their 151st St. Patricks Day this year.  The line will start out the door at 8. Mcgillins embraces a lot of craft  beer on this day. They pour O'Reilly's stout pints for $4.25. Also Lancaster Milk Stout, and the smaller craft brewery out of Ireland, O'Hara's.

Kite and Key
Always a good time bar-with a great bar staff. They are pouring a bunch of Sly Fox-their beer of the month including Seamus and O'Reilly's Stout. If you go enroll in their Sly Fox Beer Academy!

For Pete's Sake
Lots of traditional Irish Fare and LIVE music. Shepherds Pie, Bangers and Mash, Sausage Rolls....
Doors open at 11 am.

Varga Bar

St. Smutty's Day- $4 drafts and Irish Whiskey specials starting at 8

Big A Double IPA
Pale Ale
Porter
Old Brown Dog

South Philly Tap Room, Standard Tap, Johnny Brendas, the Side Car, Resurrection and the POPE are always safe awesome bets. I remember two years ago Pub and Kitchen were giving away green pabbit tees....not sure if that's an annual thing.

Go have some fun and Erin go Bragh!

Chicken Talk

Chicken Fried Chicken at POPE

I gave up meat for Lent- but my pops told me I could cheat on  Sundays. My friend Wendy thinks that's BS.
But when you think about Lent (and chances are you don't ) if you included Sundays it would be 44 days. So Pops is right.  And I plan on catching up on my meat fast every Sunday.
This Sunday kicked it off.
I headed to the POPE for some life-saving chicken fried chicken.  It's literally brunch on a plate- you have the savory golden crispy cutlet smothered in thigh-sticking white gravy sitting next to some eggs your way (my way is scrambled).
I then headed to the Brewer's Plate which was a meat fest for the second year in a row.  Pork was the plate under the rotunda last year. This year there was some more pork belly, but also some beef tartare (SPTR) and a few lamb dishes. I ate it all.  Then headed to Varga wanting some of Turney's cereal ice cream.  It was like a Brewer's Plate after party.  and everyone was ordering food- multiple courses!-- I thought didn't you just come from a food festival?
But then as soon as the food came out- I was like a scavenger. Stealing Dave Garry's Fried Chicken, Wendy Domurat's Veggie Burger, Mike Fava's scallops.  After all that meat-- I needed a little mollusk.

I can't believe I haven't had fried chicken in months-then twice in one day. Did you know it is the number one served plate in sit-down restaurants across the country. (My new food and drink trivia research led me to that nugget).

It was the most popular dish at Resurrection Ale House until they took if off the menu. It will be making a comeback for one day only- starting at lunch. Lady-in-charge Leigh Maida says, "While the chicken is frying, ain't nothing else coming out of that kitchen folks. When it's gone, we'll all plunge ourselves back into a chickenless blue funk."

Did you know? Wasabi KitKat Bars

I try to tune into City Paper's Meal ticket as often as possible...but I guess I missed their post last month on wacky (and by wacky I mean incredible) Kit Kat bars. A Japanese boy was trying to help me fix my computer and put a wasabi KitKat in my hands. I had no idea. I didn't know if it was for me- so I snuck it in Lance Romance's bag as a treat. I think I confused him- because it ended up back home and I got to partake.  I didn't know what to expect.

What it was-the coating was similar to white chocolate with a hint of wasabi. Wasabi is usually a full force thing that I can't handle resting along side some sushi and pickled ginger. This was so curious.  I already thought about pairing a Hitachino Nest Ginger beer with it.   Unfortunately they aren't available in the States.

Victory Beer Dinner at BARBUZZO Wed March 23rd

A few things:

I just found out at the Brewer's Plate yesterday- that Victory is the next beer dinner at Barbuzzo ( semi-finalist for James Beard New Restaurant of the year).
They do staggered seating throughout the night as opposed to one seating.  I found this format works well.
5-10... menu is on barbuzzo's website.

Happy Monday.
I was slightly annoyed to have my laptop contract at Computer virus of some sort over the weekend. That might slow down the blog for a few days.  But then a look through some of the photos of the Earthquake /Tsunami destruction that Japan endured last week- led me to be quickly silenced and grateful for my safe haven here in the States- especially Pennsylvania.

Have a great week.  Beer club ladies- I am trying to establish a final count for our  three course Vegetarian dinner at South Philly Taproom this Wed. at 7:30.  There will be three small plates and three beers for $25.
Email  me.

Happy Birthday John "Potts" Warner

John would probably prefer no one to know his birthday.
I think he lied about it when I first met him.

He's the bartender/manager at the POPE.
As all readers of this blog know- it's one of my favorite spots- which makes Pots one of my favorite bartenders.

Nodding Head takes Rudy to the Fifth Dimension this Saturday

Nodding Head continues second saturday beer events with.....

Variations on Rudy

Saturday March 12, 2011

3-6 PM

Nodding Head’s Rudy’s Kung Fu Grip gets twisted this way and that…

The Variations:

Rudy’s Kung Fu Grip
Very strong (11% abv) Belgian style ale… Deep amber red in color and full bodied… Malty sweetness with a plum-like fruity character and just a hint of spice… Served unfiltered.

One-Year-Old Rudy’s Kung Fu Grip
The exact same recipe aged for a full year… This should make for a mellower even easier to drink (scary idea) Rudy.

Oaked Rudy
Rudy’s Kung Fu Grip Aged in Hungarian oak.

Kung Fu Phunk
Rudy’s Kung Fu Grip aged in the Phunk Barrel… Brettanomyces present in the barrel dried out the malt sweetness to a large degree and added a pleasant amount of sourness… Mild barnyard characteristics mingle with fruity notes and just a hint of spice.

Rudy’s Icy Grip
An Extra strong Rudy… That’s right, just in case 11% ABV wasn’t strong enough for you.

Beer Forecast: It's raining Dogfish all weekend- Jose Pistolas, BRIDGIDS, POPE

Dogfish Head has had a few events this week...starting with Grey Lodge's March Forth last weekend. Then local representation was on location in Pittsburgh- we don't know where she was, or what she drank other than 120 minute- we're just glad to have her back.

Here are a few spots you can be sipping on the nation's hottest craft beer-=


Tomorrow- 
Firkin Friday lunch at JOSE PISTOLAS
75 Minute IPA aka Johnny Cask 
Red and White and World Wide stout on tap.

That's what I call a jump-start to your (craft beer express) weekend

BRIDGIDS
One of my near and dear drinking spots has been stashing some DFH for a bit.
All weekend they will be pouring:
Burton Baton
SahTea
Chateau Jiahu
Aprihop
Midas Touch
Palo Santo Marron


Saturday
Dogfish will be one of the breweries featured at POPE's "Ladies Day Out."
I will be there along with Wendy from Dogfish and Megan from Ommegang.
In addition to our beers flowing - we will have some of our favorite musicale accompaniments.
I may or may not be trying to deejay from like 1 till 3 or so.

Dogfish Head:
Aprihop, Midas Touch, Burton Baton and the World Wide Stout which POPE is running through the Randall 3.0, the Enamel Animal with vanilla bean and coffee bean.
 
Ommegang:

Hennepin, Chocolate Indulgence, Belgian Pale Ale and the Tripel Perfection. 

Sly Fox

  O'Reilly's Stout, Odyssey, Gang Aft Agley, Seamus Irish Red plus a firkin of Chester County Bitter.

  

CBX update: Kite and Key featuring Barrels of Bells

I was having some Thai curry mussels at The Kite and Key when Cameron Saunders dropped off the rest of the Bells handles for their Saturday Bells take the taps for the Craft Beer Express.  The pours are below and it should be noted that they will be delivered by bartender/dream boat
Evan Clancy. ( I know he doesn't read the blog so this I should be safe with such high praise).

Then on Sunday if you're checking out the St. Patricks Parade....don't forget to stop by for an O'Reilly's.
They'll always be pouring Sly Fox Seamsu, Saison, Odyssey, and Phoenix Pale Ale.

For the CBX:
The POURS from barrels of Bells



Firkin Expedition 2009
Bells Java Stout
Best Brown 
Hop Slam
and more

CBX UPDATE: 3rd annual Stout Brunch at Johnny Brenda's

It actually takes 3 years for something to be "annual" so Johnny Brenda's homage to the dark storied beer this year is their most official yet.
11-3:30 brunch is served.

From JB's

Chef Don will have the awesome Full Irish Breakfast on the menu in addition to our regular brunch menu, plus a smorgasbord, and an array of delicious oysters!

On tap:

Brew Works Insidious Stout

Manayunk Iron Curtain

Dogfish Chicory Stout

Dock Street Satellite Stout

Flying Fish Exit 13- Belgian Chocolate Stout

PBC Shackamaximum Stout

Sly Fox Oatmeal Stout -

Twin Lakes Tweed Tavern Stout 

Riverhorse Oatmeal Milk Stout

Weyerbacher Heresy

JUST ADDED:

Victory Donneybrook Stout

Stoudt's Fat Dog Stout

Troeg's Scratch: Cocaoabunga Redux

Lancaster Milk Stout-firkin

Yards Love Stout-firkin

Tasting flights will be available

Pay as you go

Happy Birthday TIM OHST of Sly Fox Brewing.

It's Tim Ohst's big day.
And I am pretty sure he's working as hard as he does every other day.
Tim is the Director of Brewing Operations at Sly Fox brewing Co. He's been with Sly Fox for 8  years.
He's our logistical guy, he's our ordering guy, he's our everything guy. 

Happy birthday to Tim, or as my dear friend Wendy says, "TOHST!"

Seats still available for Blue Point dinner tonight at White Dog

The folks at White Dog have a pretty special dinner planned tonight with Blue Point brewery.
6:30 for Reception.
The last Toxic Sludge keg in the universe will be pouring.  This is the beer Blue Point made in which 100% of the proceeds went to the Gulf.
$50


Join Judy Wicks for the following...

Reception

Local Pennsylvania cheese plate

Pretzels and cheddar beer dip

Beer: blueberry ale

Appetizer

Meadow run lamb slider

Shellbark hallow goat cheese, oven dried tomatoes, branch creak micro arugula

Beer: spring fling amber ale

Entrée

Berkshire pork tenderloin

Imperial stout and molasses marinated pork tenderloin, smoked cheddar and Tasso ham grits

Beer: toasted lager

Or

Blacken shrimp and scallops

Dirty rice, house made andouille sausage, Creole mustard sauce

Beer: toxic sludge black IPA

Dessert

Chocolate pot de cream with sour cherry ice cream

Beer: sour Cherry imperial stout

March Madness at VARGA-this Wed. Weyerbacher and Sly Fox face off

Wednesday, March 9th
9 pm (beers will start flowing as soon as the clock strikes 9)

VARGA bar is hosting their second annual March Madness tourney pitting local breweries against each other-leaving the  decision to the taste buds of Philly beer enthusiasts.

Drink some delicious Seamus red and support your favorite Royersford brewery as they go up against Easton's Weyerbacher

Brewer's Plate next Sunday- Only 75 VIP tix left

We do so many events in our industry throughout the year- this is one we look forward to- the  
Brewers Plate.

We get to throw back some beers with our favorite chefs in a beautiful building on a Sunday evening.

Look forward to some great pairings between Southwark and Nodding Head, Sly Fox and Rembrandts, Dogfish Head and Royal Tavern (Porchetta!) and more...

All proceeds go to Fair Food.
General Admission tix $75
VIP $125 (you get in an hour earlier, seminars, tote of treats and such)
more info here.

Happy Weekend from the Neibhur Brothers!!!

I will be at the Navy Yard all day long.
You enjoy your weekends.

Here's a photo from our last one with special guests, the Neibhur Brothers- Spencer and Ryan.

Don't forget it's Mardi Gras weekend at Catahoula on Front st,. If you haven't been yet- get going.  Food Rocks.

If you're in Exton tomorrow- the Drafting Room is giving away complimentary cask-conditioned Nugget Nectar with your brunch!

F.W.O.T. to host Troegs next Wednesday 3/9

Next Wednesday- 7:30 pm

Fingers, Wings and other Things (Fwot) in Conshohocken is hosting the one and only Nick Johnson and his portfolio of Troegs beers including:

Mad Elf

Nugget Nectar

Scratch 42

Dream Weaver Wheat

And maybe one more (not sure yet)

There's speak of a "Mad Elf" wing sauce to boot.

Need a spring trip to R.E.I. to stock up for the outdoor season?  Stop by F.W.O.T. across the Ridge Ave.

Here are their current pours (other than all that Troegs mentioned...)

Seamus

Victory Headwaters Pale Ale
Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye
Flying Fish Abbey Dubbel
Founders Double Trouble
Lancaster Boss Hog Double IPA
Roy Pitz Lay Down Stay Down
Magic Hat Vinyl Lager
Yards Philadelphia Pale Ale

CATAHOULA- celebrates Mardi Gras for Days on End

Announcing: Sly Fox Academy at the Kite and Key during MARCH

School is in session for the month of March at Kite and Key by 19th and Callowhill.
They will be pouring a variety of Sly Fox beers throughout the month.

Complete the program-as in-drink all the beers- and receive your Sly Fox Diploma as well as an Academy tee-shirt and Sly Fox pint glass.

The Pours will include:
Gang Aft Agley, Helles, O'Reilly's Stout, Seamus Red, Odyssey Imperial IPA, Abbey Dubbel, Pikeland Pils, Saison Vos, Incbus Abbott Tripel and more.

They will keep track of your beers. Email me or Jim@thekiteandkey.com with any questions.
Cheers and Good Luck;) Have fun- there's no Conduct section on this report card.

JG DOMESTIC hosts OMMEGANG 3.10 7 pm

Thanks to THRILLIST for reminding me about one of my best friend's beer dinners.

1

Foie Gras & Farmhouse Poached
Apple Brochettes
California Green Almond, Cracked Pepper Caramel
Farmhouse Saison (Hennepin) 

2

Rhode Island Little Neck Clams

House Garlic Sausage, Ommegang Broth, Grilled Sourdough
Rare Vos Belgian Amber

3

Slow Roasted Elysian Fields Lamb Leg
Fava Bean Ragout, Charred Fiddlehead, Dubbel Lamb Jus
Abbey Ale Dubbel

4
Chocolate Beignets
Tobacco Parfait, Cherry-Garces Ice Cream
Three Philosophers Quadrupel

Have you ever had beignets there?

It's $75 (plus tax and gratuity)

Reservations Required: 215-222-2363

Jonathan Richman

Tried to see Jonathan Richman tonight. Couldn't see over heads that were as tall as he.
Then as soon as I start to enjoy myself and get over the whole "I'm not tall thing"---it's over.
Yep- an hour to the minute that he went on stage. And you can't even fault him for it- because every moment with the Geee-tar was awesome. Crowd-pleaser he was.

He did two encores. But you still wanted more.  He actually has so much material that he didn't even play one thing I own and I have a bunch.

My ever-adorable sister invited us for pie- and I would have accepted- but I was concerned that my concert date had to work early in the morning.

So suddenly everything is stopping short- the concert- and the "concert night."
I am in pj's at 10:35 pm and I just did dishes. Lame. Really Lame.

Here's a song Richman wrote about his wife-- "Everyday Clothes."
No wonder every young lady wants to date a musician- men usually don't say sweetness without a six-string in hand.

Also weird -- on YouTube only 75,222 people watched this and within one day (today) 489,682 people are following Charlie Sheen  on twitter. I'm officially depressed.